Mecca and Medina weather updates: Important weather alerts
is The weather in Mecca and Medina of great interest to citizens, residents, and visitors to the Holy Mosque, especially given the ongoing weather fluctuations in the region. In this context, the National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued important updates, including yellow and orange alerts, regarding the expected weather conditions in the Mecca and Medina regions, warning of strong winds and dust storms that will directly affect horizontal visibility.
Details of warnings in the Medina region
The National Center for Meteorology explained that the Madinah region is experiencing unstable weather conditions, and a yellow alert has been issued covering the governorates of Al-Ula, Khaybar, and Al-Ais, in addition to other neighboring areas. This weather pattern is accompanied by active winds with speeds ranging from 40 to 49 kilometers per hour, leading to a significant decrease in horizontal visibility. This alert is in effect from 11:00 AM on Saturday until 8:00 PM the same day.
Furthermore, the center raised the alert level to orange for the governorates of Badr (Al-Rais), Yanbu, and their coastal areas. This alert includes a warning of blowing dust and strong winds that may lead to near-zero horizontal visibility (1 to 3 kilometers), as well as a significant increase in sea waves. This alert is in effect from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Weather conditions in Mecca and its surrounding provinces
As for the Makkah region, it was not spared from these climatic fluctuations. The center issued orange and yellow alerts covering the governorates of Bahrah (Al-Shuaiba), Al-Lith, Al-Khurmah, Al-Muwayh, Turabah, Ranyah, Khulais, Al-Kamil, Jeddah, and Rabigh, in addition to the coastal areas.
The center warned of strong winds reaching speeds of 50 to 59 kilometers per hour, accompanied by blowing dust that will cause near-zero horizontal visibility (1-3 km), in addition to high waves along the coastline. This warning is in effect from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Saturday.
Climate context and the importance of early warning
These warnings are part of the National Center of Meteorology's commitment to protecting lives and property, and are part of the extensive early warning system developed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Historically, the western regions of the Kingdom experience weather fluctuations during the transitional periods between seasons, with active surface winds that stir up sand and dust, particularly in open areas and on highways connecting major cities.
Expected impact and safety guidelines
This weather event has a significant local impact, particularly on traffic on the highways connecting Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah, which experience heavy traffic from pilgrims and visitors. The high waves also affect maritime navigation and fishing in coastal ports such as Jeddah Islamic Port and Yanbu Port.
In such circumstances, the General Directorate of Civil Defense always emphasizes the need to take precautions, avoid driving at high speeds in open areas, stay away from billboards and trees, and wear masks for respiratory and asthma patients to avoid complications from dust and dirt, in order to ensure everyone’s safety during these weather fluctuations.
